This Week In Island History

The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from the Jamestown Press. The news of 100 years ago came from the collection of the Newport Historical Society.

100 years ago

From the Newport Journal,

Dec. 22, 1911

Mr. B.F. Orkin of Boston is on the island today with a party to look over the coal veins on the Island Coal Company’s property at Conanicut Park.

Work has commenced on the addition to the clubhouse on Shoreby Hill, to convert it into a casino.

The float, which was taken from beneath the ferry bridge, was towed across the bay by the ferryboat Sunday afternoon, and will be hauled on the company’s property for the winter.

75 years ago From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 18, 1936

[At the Town Council meeting] it was voted that Superintendent of Highways Lewis W. Hull be authorized to make necessary changes to the heating system in the fire barn, the cost not to exceed $40, to be charged to the emergency department.

The annual Christmas party of the Jamestown Fire Department will be held Monday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., at the fire station, to which all children are invited. From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 19, 1936

A community Christmas tree has been donated by Mr. and Mrs. B. Tweed and has been placed on the engine house grounds, and will be lighted Christmas Eve.

The Palace Theatre was well filled Friday evening when a minstrel show, under the direction of George W. Bowen, was presented, with the PWA orchestra of Newport furnishing music.

Dr. P.J. Lynam, who recently returned from China, has purchased the Susan C. Clarke property on Narragansett Avenue. From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 22, 1936

The community Christmas tree on the fire station grounds was lighted Monday evening and more than 400 gathered to enjoy the festivities, conducted by the fire department. From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 23, 1936

[At the School Committee meeting] the athletic committee reported on arrangements made for basketball at the Holy Ghost hall, and it was voted that the committee draw up a contract with the Holy Ghost Society for two afternoons a week for 10 weeks.

Arrangements were made to flood the school playground.

50 years ago From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 18, 1961

The Vikings overwhelmed the Hawks, 34-7, in the Jamestown Junior Basketball League’s opening game Saturday night in the recreation center. From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 19, 1961

The Jamestown School Committee last night unanimously adopted a 10-point “Philosophy of the School Committee.” The lunchroom menu will be published on a day-to-day basis commencing in January. They felt that it defeated the purpose of the lunch program by allowing children to select food instead of eating what is before them.

The Jamestown Teachers Association last night asked for a $1,000 a year increase to a $5,000 starting salary and to a maximum pay of $6,200 in seven years, instead of the present 10 years.

25 years ago From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 22, 1986

More than 300 penguins are expected to brave the icy waters of Mackerel Cove, New Year’s Day at noon for the 11th annual New Year’s Day plunge. From the Newport Daily News,

Dec. 23, 1986

It’s official. The town is the new owner of the Jamestown Country Club.

15 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Dec. 19, 1996

Town officials will start enforcing local laws that prohibit homeowners from discharging roof runoff and sump-pump water into the municipal sanitary sewer lines.

Jamestown’s Town Planner Mark Browning has resigned [after 10 months] to take a higher paying job.

(Photo caption) Artist Eleanor Gravdahl and architect Ron Di- Mauro helped make the new welcome signs possible. Three signs were recently installed by the state DOT.

10 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Dec.20, 2001

Town officials are struggling with how they will be able to make good on promises to help about 650 homeowners get low cost loans to install modern septic systems to replace outmoded cesspools.

An air of congeniality filled the room at the Town Building and Facilities Committee meeting last week as members moved on to the next directive given them by the Town Council to draw up a town hall renovation plan.